The Epiphany of the Lord - Fr. Leo

Magi came from the East seeking the new born king by the guidance of a star.  In the end, they bow down before the child and present him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Gold symbolizing his earthly kingship, frankincense his heavily origin, and myrrh to foreshadow his victory over sin and death in his cross and resurrection.

The magi were seekers of God as we are called to be.  They embraced their spiritual journey, as are we to embrace ours.  Leaving the comforts of “home” to travel to that place where gold, frankincense and myrrh take on new meaning.  The road that brings us to share in Christ’s cross and resurrection, is the road they invite us to travel.

On that road, there will be temptation and resistance and it can take many forms.  For the magi, it was Herod, whose jealousy made him “appear” interested so he could join them in their homage.  Herod’s true heart was filled with jealousy and fear. He wanted to know where the infant was so he could destroy him.

True to the light, the magi, guided by a dream, chose not to return to Herod, but take another way home.

Jealousy and a need to be God, to be in control and make everything about ourselves, is the same temptation we face when we encounter Herod in us and around us.  The only safe course is to follow Christ who is the star of light.  Only his truth and love can be our way, our truth and our life.  So let us give up our conceptions of what is good, and allow God to be God, so God can show us the way.  Let us place our confidence in Christ and seek him alone.  I believe this light of Christ, that cast out all darkness, will guide us and dwell within us with his unapproachable light. 

Let us not fear the Christ, but seek his light and beg his light to keep us from stumbling into sin and sadness.  May we rejoice and give to the Lord our gold, frankincense and myrrh.